The Cincinnati Reds and Kyle Schwarber seem like a match.
The prodigious slugger from Middletown, Ohio, is a free agent right when the Reds need to add some thump to their lineup. If there was ever a time for a splash by the Cincinnati front office, this is it.
But Schwarber is a highly sought-after target for a number of teams. He hit 187 home runs in his four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, including 56 in 2025. Every team could use a guy like that.
The Reds may miss out. And if that happens, they may pivot to the trade market.
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That's what MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has suggested in a new article on Wednesday.
"They are not afraid to deal prospects or bring in prospects," Mayo writes. "They have six Top 100 guys. Sal Stewart (No. 1/MLB No. 31) made it to the big leagues. Chase Burns just graduated. The Reds are close. The only reason I would hedge my bet here is that they might go with the big splash in the free agent market. What if they can lure Ohio native Kyle Schwarber to Cincinnati? If Schwarber signs somewhere else, maybe they pivot to the trade market."
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It's tough to see the Reds trading Stewart or Burns unless there's a legitimate star out there to be acquired.
But Cincinnati is also in a spot with an already-solid core that got it to the playoffs in 2025, albeit barely. The Reds need to take the next step.
Schwarber would certainly be one way to take the next step. But if he's off the table, a trade may be the next best option, and Cincinnati has the system to make it happen.
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